Maternity at West Cumberland Hospital

I attended a meeting this afternoon of the co-production working group which is developing a plan on how to implement "Option One" for maternity in North. West, and East Cumbria.

As most readers of this blog will probably be aware, "Option one" is not identical to the status quo but does maintain consultant-led maternity units at both West Cumberland Hospital (WCH) in Whitehaven and the Cumberland Infirmary at Carlisle (CIC).

The group has come up with a very long list of questions about how maternity should be provided  and has worked through them.

Almost every question that I could imagine a worried expectant mother or her family might possibly ask is being addressed - the answers to some of these questions are still being developed but I found the progress being made to be very positive.

There is no date yet to actually implement "Option One" and it won't be implemented until all the plans are in place to do so safely and sustainably.

I can't possibly do justice to all the issues being raised but it is perhaps worth mentioning

* There will still be a Level One SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) at both WCH and Carlisle

* Capacity issues are being looked at and don't appear to be a problem

* Availability of Anaesthetist cover is being addressed

* Pathways for safe and sustainable mother and baby patient transfers back home are being looked at in those cases - less than 20% of those who currently deliver at the West Cumberland - where a mother from the West Coast has her baby or babies in Carlisle.

The number of elective and emergency caesarean sections at Carlisle is likely to increase slightly but both elective and emergency C-sections will continue to take place at Whitehaven where that is the best option for mother and baby which in most cases it still will be.

Congratulations to the organisers of today's NHS 70th birthday celebration in Whitehaven

Can I congratulations the organisers and all who took part today in the Whitehaven commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the NHS, including an open air service and stalls and music, in St Nicholas's Gardens this afternoon (8th July 2018.)

Excellent refreshments were available in St Nicholas’ Coffee Shop in aid of NHS related charities, and there were health related information stalls and family entertainment, with a brief open air event (he didn't want to call it a service) led by the Revd Robert Jackson.

Well done all involved especially Carole Woodman, of St Bees who organised the event.

Celebration in Whitehaven tomorrow (Sunday 8th July 2018) for 70 years of the NHS

Following on from the NHS70 parkruns, the excellent service in Carlisle Cathedral l;ast week and various other events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the NHS, there will be a series of events including an open air service at St Nicholas's Gardens in Whitehaven tomorrow (8th July 2018)

Refreshments will be available in St Nicholas’ Coffee Shop in aid of NHS related charities, and there will be health related information stalls and family entertainment, with an open air service at 2pm led by Revd Robert Jackson.

Health campaigner Carole Woodman, of St Bees, has organised the event.

She said: “We focus on the hospital but there are so many services that happen outside the hospital as well. It’s about celebrating all NHS staff.

“Even though we are concerned about services moving there are some good things happening. For example, in September we are going to get year three medical students back again. 

“This is an opportunity for people to come and see some of the things that are happening and celebrate the hard work our NHS staff are doing. 

“It’s a thanksgiving celebration really for Whitehaven and Copeland, and an important event as we look forward to how we want our services to be in the future.”

Service in Carlisle Cathedral today (1st July 2018) to celebrate 70 yeras of the NHS

To celebrate the 70th birthday of the NHS, a service of thanksgiving and celebration will be held at Carlisle Cathedral this evening (Sunday 1st July 2018.

The celebration will bring together a procession of staff representing the many different elements of the NHS and its partner organisations that work together to deliver health and social care to the people of Cumbria.

The Bishop of Carlisle James Newcome will preach, with readings from NHS staff past and present.

The service will reflect on the history of the NHS, celebrate our staff, and look towards the future.

The Dean of Carlisle, , Mark Boyling, said:

“It is hard to think of anyone who is not touched in some way by an aspect of the National Health Service. So it is good to be able to invite people from across the county to come to the Cathedral for this special celebration. We have a lot to be thankful for.”

Everyone is invited to come along from 5.30pm for tea and coffee, with the service to take place from 6.30-7.30pm.

More details here.

For those in West Cumbria who are not able to get to Carlisle today, there will also be a celebration of 70 years of the NHS at St Nicholas's in the centre of Whitehaven from 12 noon to 4pm next Sunday, 8th July, with an open-air service at 2pm.